First Thessalonians 5 Part 4 Resist Seeking Revenge On Your Enemies

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As this letter draws to a close, Paul shares some final guidance about Christian living.

Never mistreat anyone. Pursue that which is good.

1 Thessalonians 5:15  See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 

Paul is exhorting us to live a principled life marked by Christian virtue in our responses to other people. 

In particular, the apostle is focused on how we respond toward our enemies and those who hate us because we are believers in Christ.

This message is so relevant in light of the cultural depravity that surrounds and presses in on us. 

Movies, television, and social media really push the idea that it is right and good to exact revenge upon your enemies. 

The moral depravity that dominates our culture says "you must humiliate your enemies before you annihilate them. Grind them into the ground without mercy."

We must be on guard against responding hatefully toward our enemies or those we find to be obnoxious. 

Listen to what God says to us through His apostle. A Christian should never do anything sinful or harmful to another person even if that person deserves it. 

Paul, guided by the Holy Spirit tells us to "put off" responding with hateful words, thoughts or actions. 

The apostle always follows a "put off" instruction with something positive to "put on." 

We must learn to follow that which is good as we interact with other Christians and with those who are not believers.

The verb "follow" means to quickly pursue godly character and cultivate a good heart toward all those with whom we interact.

Following the things that are good means they must be "good" as God defines "good."  This adjective refers to thoughts, words and actions that are virtuous, wholesome, excellent and useful. 

Those who respond in kind to sinners will suffer judgment from God. 

Proverbs 17:13  Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. 

King Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived because God gave him divine wisdom to help him discern good from evil as king. 

Here is an excellent principle of truth for Christians to follow. Never do anything evil or sinful to someone who has done something good for us.  

Those who do evil against a person who did something good and beneficial for them, shall suffer perpetual evil eruptions in their homes and families.

Do not fight against the evil doer but turn your cheek. 

Matthew 5:39  But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Listen to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, because He is God manifest in the flesh and speaks with all of heaven's authority.

Jesus said we are not to respond in kind when someone harms us or does something wrong against us. 

If someone strikes us on the cheek we are to turn the other cheek. 

This is the opposite of responding in kind as the culture urges people to do. 

Love your enemies and do good to them. 

Matthew 5:43-45  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44)  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45)  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.  

Listen to the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ once more. Jewish rabbis taught that Jews must love their neighbors but hate their enemies.

This is why Jesus corrected false teaching promoted by certain rabbis. The law that God gave to Moses never instructed anyone to hate their enemies. 

God commanded His people to do right to those who wrong them. 

Exodus 23:4-5  If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again. 5)  If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him. 

The holy law of God specifically stated that if you were out and saw your enemy's ox or ass straying away, that your duty was to catch the animal and return it to the rightful owner. 

If you saw an ass struggling to carry its burden, God commanded you to help bear that burden even if its owner was your enemy.

Therefore, Jesus commands us to love our enemies and do good to them that hate us. 

We are to bless them when they curse us and pray for their salvation when they take advantage of us. 

In this way our light will shine more brightly into a corrupt culture and our salt will help slow the cultural decay. 

Jesus gave us the example of His Father in heaven, who sends rain upon His children and the sheep of His pasture, but also sends rain upon vile, evil people.

Our Father sends the much needed sunshine upon His children as much as He does upon sinners. 

Judgment and revenge upon our enemies belongs to our Lord. 

Romans 12:17-21  Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18)  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19)  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20)  Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21)  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.  

Believers in Christ should never do evil to anyone. God loved us while we were His enemies and He provided a savior, His Son, Jesus Christ. 

Jesus suffered greatly, and died in our place on the cross of Calvary. God so loved the world that He sacrificed His only son so that all who have repentant faith in Jesus, shall have eternal life (John 3:15-18).

Christians should be known for honest dealings with all men, never cheating anyone, never trying to take advantage of others. 

Christians should be marked by a peaceful life, never causing strife, never created an uproar. Rather, the Christian should do all things in a decent and orderly manner that pleases God. 

Vengeance belongs to the LORD. Christians are not to take revenge on anyone. God will judge our enemies and hold them accountable for their wickedness. 

Paul follows the teaching of Jesus Christ and reminds us that if our enemy is hungry or thirsty, we should meet those needs. We overcome evil with good. 

The Lord of glory shall render judgment upon them which will be according to their evil deeds. 

We must remember that before the Holy Spirit regenerated us and gave us a new heart and a new spirit, we were the enemies of God.

What was the Father's response to our sin and rebellion? He sacrificed His own Son in order to save us. 

We received full forgiveness, full atonement and the great gift of eternal life through faith in Christ. 

How then, can we fail to love our enemies, for this was the Father's heart toward us.

May the spirit inspired words of Paul shape our mind and attitude toward our enemies. 

We are not called to be haters but to be lovers of all mankind, seeking the salvation of those who are unsaved.

Bob

Romans 5:8-11  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9)  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10)  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11)  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.